Springer spoke to the media Monday night before Game 7 of the American League Championship Series between his Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle (on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 8:10 p.m. ET/5:10 p.m. PT).
The 36-year-old veteran was struck in the right kneecap by Brian Woo's 95.6 mph hit in the seventh inning of Toronto's 6-2 loss on Friday in Game 5. Mariners fans booed him during every plate appearance in the game, and then celebrated when he was removed from the game after Wu hit him.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, I'm just worried about my health and it's out of my control,” Springer said. “So it’s one of those things where I was worried about my knee at that point and I’ll go from there.”
Springer led Toronto into a must-win Game 7 on Monday. He was also thrown from the field in the Blue Jays' 6-2 win in Game 6.
“Honestly, it is what it is,” Springer said of having to work hard with his bats. “I will do my best to go out on the field and play to my strength. I don't think it's a secret. I got hit in the kneecap (in Game 5).
“It's not ideal. So it’s not necessarily the best, but for now I’m going to play.”
Springer enjoyed a resurgence in the regular season, hitting .309 with 32 home runs, 84 runs scored, 18 stolen bases and a .399 on-base percentage. This postseason he is hitting .233 with three home runs and six runs batted in.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Springer for setting a strong example for his teammates.
“I think he’s very deliberate about not complaining,” Schneider said. “Again, this is another way to set a standard. Now everyone feels it.
“We always joke, everyone feels it, but no one cares. Nobody cares. You need to go out and do it.”
